(F)ind: The Stellar-Student Selection Process

Step 1

Through an application process, multiple high school students will be chosen. Although not limited to, the majority of students will be minorities or come from underserved communities.

Students will be required to submit a reference, their recent achievements, and their recent community service. However, the bulk of the application will use a more modern approach. Given prompts related to the themes of the program, the student will then answer these questions in a virtual interview.

(A)ctivate: The In-Person Sessions

Step 2

The selected students students will be a part of either an intense one (1) week or two (2) week session. They will work with a Community Partner to jointly conceive of a project and execute it utilizing tools from creative disciplines, community building, and entrepreneurship. The project must provide a quantitative benefit to a community in need and will culminate in a presentation to the Community Party sharing their results in the following areas:

Impact ~ How does the target community benefit from the project? Can this be quantified?

Relevance ~ How great of a need is there for this project?

Influence ~ How are individuals in the community involved in this project?

Sustainability ~ What is the likelihood that the project (product, service, event, etc.) can be repeated with the same or greater impact?

Voice & Creativity ~ Does the applicant’s personality come across in a clear and positive way? How did their entry stand out?

(M)ATURE: Nurturing the Students’ Progress

Step 3

Although the most intensive part of the program is over, all is not finished. We have several goal oriented sessions throughout their next school year focused on the learned principles from the Activate portion.

REFERENCES

For our purposes, “underserved communities” are defined as:

Underrepresented ethnic and minority groups
Low-income neighborhoods
Communities that are considered “food deserts”
Economically deprived areas (areas in need of development/revitalization)